55,000 policemen deployed for Delhi polls

New Delhi, Feb 7 (IANS) A total of 55,000 policemen, along with paramilitary forces, were deployed in the capital city Saturday to maintain law and order and ensure peaceful voting during the assembly polls, police said.

The policemen along with additional troops from paramilitary forces, including Border Security Force (BSF) and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), were deployed at every sensitive place and at 11,763 booths in 70 constituencies of the capital.

"A total of 55,000 policemen were deployed on roads as well as at booths in Delhi. We have got additional support from the Central Armed Police Force (CAPF). Returning officers and other officers from different departments also visited booths Saturday," said a police official.

"Three to four policemen along with two paramilitary troopers and some election commission officers were deployed at every booth," he said.

The officials said that all the polling agents were asked to sit beyond 200 metres of polling booths.

According to the official, booth-level deployment of police was done by Friday evening. He said that a special commissioner rank officer along with others monitored activities at various polling booths from the control room.

The officer said that polling went off peacefully except for a few minor clashes between the supporters of some political parties.